Urbana for the win

Folks, every week I write to you I sit down and think... Mission Life is crazy, but I think this is as crazy as it gets so I guess I'll make it out alive. And then every week, something even more crazy happens. This week tops it though! I have been sent to the Springfield Ward for the foreseeable future. It's closer to Dayton OH. We live and work in a smaller town North of Springfield, Urbana. Sister Davis, my new companion, is the best! She is from Logan Utah, as been out for 15

months, and hopefully we'll get to spend her last 3 months together building Urbana up!

We were doubled into the area (translation: President Daines removed both of the Sisters that were serving here before and sent Sister Davis and I in with no idea who is who, or where anything is) it's definitely hard as a missionary, and for my brain to comprehend personally. I like to have all of the information before I jump into something but  I've learned A LOT about relying on the spirit and nice people around me to point us in the right direction. Also I kind of enjoy the clean slate. We have a lot of people the previous sisters were working with, but we also have the freedom to branch out and no

predispositions about people or places to hold us back. We still get lost, confused and have a lot to learn but the nice thing about missionary work is it is the same everywhere. As long as we are talking to people, teaching them from the scriptures, inviting them to come closer to Christ, the work will move forward. Yesterday was our first day of church. The ward was pretty shocked at the changes of transfers as well. We have a set of elders on bikes, a set of elders in a car, and a set of sisters in the ward. Of the 6 missionaries that were here, 1 went home, 4 were transferred, and only one elder is still here. The bike elders were doubled in. It was a long Sunday full of quick intro conversations, and long meetings.

Overall the people here are wonderful and we have some really gung ho leaders ready to help us find people to bring into the gospel. The leader of our ward, Bishop Helwig is very young and enthusiastic. He sincerely desires success for us and is putting so much faith in his new crew of missionaries. We also had a chance to meet some of the people we are working with this weekend. The previous Sisters had a golden contact with a young man named Jeremiah. He has had some really cool experiences feeling the truth of our message and is eager to learn more! Urbana has a lot of potential and I am excited to see it grow!!

The Spiritual thought of the week comes from the story of Job. He has everything he loves taken away from him, but he still finds faith in God and promise in leaning on God for strength. Job knows that no matter what The adversary throws at him, Heavenly Father is stronger. I love Jobs words near the end of his story, Job 23:8-10

8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:

9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:

10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Job did not always see or feel close to Heavenly Father but he had FAITH in the Savior and was not afraid to take steps into the dark to find Him. He knew that Heavenly Father loved him, and would never put him through more pain then he absolutely needed to. Job chose to have the eternal perspective of HOPE. He knew, and Elder Stevenson reminded

us that "You have the Savior of the world on your side. If you seek His help and follow His directions, how can you fail?" (Elder Gary E.Stevenson, April 2004) This week work on having that hope. Remember that Heavenly Father knows you and is there to help. Find ways to improve yourself so you can come forth as gold!!

I love all of you, and I hope everyone has a Happy Valentines Day!!

✌🏻️❤️Sister Reynolds❤️✌🏻️

Transfer Meeting (without an official meeting) Pics

Last pic of the Scioto Ward Mission Crew together (Sister Chadwick,

Me, Bro Gimmeson, Elder Hansen, and Elder Hemmert) #StuckinScioto

Sister Farmer got transferred back to UT #eternaltransfer

one last pic of the Scioto/Westland Sister Squad (Sister Chadwick,

me, Sis Brown, Sister LeBaron) #lovethesegirls